Busting Brackets
Fansided

Arkansas Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of big man Daniel Gafford

By Curtis Wilkerson

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Nate Fowler
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Nate Fowler /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Arkansas Basketball forward Daniel Gafford hopes to be the first Razorback selected in the 1st round of the NBA Draft since Bobby Portis in 2015.  Here is a look at his profile for the upcoming draft.

Following his freshman season for Arkansas Basketball where he burst onto the national scene, Daniel Gafford projected as a fringe lottery pick for the 2018 NBA Draft.  The SEC All-Freshman Team selection elected to return to Fayetteville for his sophomore season in hopes of boosting his stock in what was widely regarded as a weaker draft pool.

Gafford’s productivity increased nearly across the board last season with the Hogs:

Scoring: ’17-18: 11.8 ppg  |   ’18-19: 16.9 ppg (+5.1 ppg)

Rebounding: ’17-18: 6.2 rpg   |   ’18-19: 8.7 rpg (+2.5 rpg)

FG% +5.5%   |   FT% +6.3%

Daniel became a household name in the SEC as a highlight-reel dunker and shot-blocking assassin.  He had some huge games for Arkansas, highlighted by a 32 point performance against a talented LSU front-line in January.  He amassed 10 double-doubles and was the offensive focal point and clear leader for a young Razorback team.

To go along with some increased output, Gafford was named SEC All-Defensive Team, 1st Team All-SEC and AP Honorable Mention All-American.  At the end of the regular season, Gafford made the controversial decision to not play with Arkansas in the NIT so he could begin training for the draft combine.

Gafford had some intriguing measurables at the combine.  He stood at 6’10 1/2″ with a 7’2″ wingspan.  He had a 32.5 inch standing vertical leap which ranked tops among big men.  His total vertical reach measured out as the second most behind only 7’7″ Tacko Fall.  While his sheer length and athleticism has never been in question, Daniel did perform somewhat poorly during his strength assessment.

Gafford has seen an overall drop in his draft stock but still projects as a potential late 1st round selection with intriguing upside.

Home/NBA Draft News